Teens With Celiac May Be Smaller Than Peers

There was a study done with more than 2 million teens who underwent medical exams over nearly 20 years also found that Celiac is being diagnosed more often now than in the past.

Celiac disease is an auto immune disorder that damages the small intestine and interferes with the absorption of nutrients from food.  Without following the proper gluten free diet, Celiac can lead to complications such as malnutrition, low bone density, lactose intolerance and infertility.

The new study clarifies that regardless of gluten free diet adherence, that final height are only marginally affected.  Girls with the disease averaged about a quarter inch shorter than their peers, as boys weighed less than their peers. After looking at other factors such as ethnic origin, and socioeconomic status, the differences in girls were no longer apparent and only boys with Celiac were found to be significantly smaller than their peers. 

Traditionally poor growth has been attributed to severe damage to the small intestine leading to malabsorption of essential nutrients.  They were also thinking about the influences on growth hormone, or maybe the children have been undiagnosed for a while with nutritional deficiencies that could have affected their growth. 

More studies are in the works about this however, it is nothing to be worried about.  The disease is easy to treat once diagnosed.  Gluten free foods are abundant and any teen can lead a normal life.  During the first few years of having the disease, a child should be evaluated for nutrient deficiencies like iron, vitamin D, zinc, and many others.  You may need to supplement depending on the child's diet.